While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.
Division of Chiropractic Medicine Established at Philadelphia Hospital
Franklin Square Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a fully accredited 215-bed teaching hospital, recently established a division of chiropractic medicine. The division will function under the hospital's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The hospital's board of directors has approved DCs to act as primary care physicians within the hospital setting, consistent with their clinical training.
Eligibility for staff privileges requires that the DC be a graduate from a chiropractic college approved by a national chiropractic accrediting agency, which is fully approved by the United States Office of Education (USOE) and the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA).
Julius M. D'Angelantonio, D.C., and Marc C. Cohen, D.C., of the Pennsylvania Academy of Chiropractic Physicians (PACP) are chairman and co-chairman respectively of the chiropractic division. The PACP has been working continuously since its founding in 1978 to establish hospital privileges for DCs in Pennsylvania.